I like the colors in here now with a lake right outside the window.

I am wondering if the fireplace stands out too much or if your eye is being drawn to everything on the fireplace mantle and hearth. Love the boat there, but would you be open to taking everything else off and away and seeing what you think? Take the valances off the window and post a pic of the tv part of the room.

I really think painting the walls red etc will just darken the room and make it seem smaller. If it were me I would ---
1) remove the rug
2) paint the walls a lighter very pale blue - like behr "glass bead" 570E-1 color
3) add super white crown molding around the ceiling of the room
4) make the fireplace bricks white. there's a good tutorial here you can do it yourself and it's cheap
4) remove the bronze surround and purchase a black wrought iron 'shield'/grate for the fireplace
and 5 ) remove the mantle

basically i would lighten and open up the whole room. I would finish off with some black hardware and filmy white curtains.

How about lightening the room by painting or veneer ins the brick?